Ovahimba Stare Down

Getting down to photographic business with the Ovahimba, an indigenous tribe in Namibia.

I really like these captivating looks from the Ovahimba children. I can't imagine getting that from a child elsewhere. Most kids are too happy and always smiling or giggling. Occasionally perhaps slightly stunned and unsure, but generally, not looking into the camera with the fire of a 1,000 suns.

I've heard that some tribes in other parts of Africa are all about the money-for-photographs trade. While I can understand their desire to profit and elevate themselves, I'm never a big fan of paying for photos. With the Ovahimba, it's a little less direct. You bring them some rice, sauce packets or other commodity foods when you go to meet them, and then you can take photos pretty freely. I can respect that quite a bit more.